NPC"Finally, I can go to the Emperor's Vow, to my cosy cabin with a bottle of Calixian amasec and a hot bath. I will see you among the stars, new blood! Stay on your toes around the self-righteous and try not to perish in the warp before our next meeting."
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 4
Calligos Winterscale"Ha... ha ha ha ha ha!" Calligos Winterscale is standing in the heart of an abated battle, covered head to toe in the blood of his enemies. His excited smile gradually twists into a grin, and his glazed eyes emanate an alarming coldness. "The xenoscum struggled to the very end — now that's what I call a hunt! It's a shame I missed the garishly dressed one. I wish I could have cracked his horned mask along with his skull."
Worten the GreyWorten the Grey nods at every word of his master, licking the fresh blood off a thin blade.
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."
Calligos Winterscale"You and I now share the bond of battle, [Name]! Let me know if you ever feel like shooting some xenos, and I might just bless you with my company." Calligos winks at you. "And I, in turn, will have no choice but to invite you on my future hunts."
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."
Calligos Winterscale"Better than yours, that's for sure." Calligos's tone is provoking. "There is nothing better than raw power and direct blows. Standing face to face with your foe with an axe in hand, breathing in their fear and rage, crushing them with your own body... Only in such moments do I feel truly mortal... and exhilaratingly alive!"
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."
Calligos Winterscale"Do my ears deceive me? A challenge — for me?" Winterscale roars with laughter. "I usually don't count my foes in the middle of a battle, but we'll make a wager next time!"
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."
Calligos Winterscale"Or you were lied to, and there is no Haemonculus on this world at all. In any case, you can ask the locals — their psykers talk to the trees or some such nonsense. Maybe one of their 'dire oaks' will tell you something." He offers you a sarcastic smirk, enjoying his little joke.
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"
Calligos Winterscale"Hear... what?" Winterscale shrugs his shoulders incredulously. "I don't remember saying that. But anything can trip off the tongue in the heat of battle."
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"
NPCSilver sparks flash at the ends of Speaks-With-Gods's hair, distracting Calligos from the conversation. The priest shudders as if from cold, moans, claws at his face with his nails... and throws his head back to face the sky.
Speaks-With-Gods"In the Deadlands... there is a monster whose body is made up of bodies sewn together with rusty threads. It waits for a fallen star, trembles, hides... And guards a secret that is darker than a starless sky... A secret about the past and the thoughts about the future." The priest's violet eyes glow gold, then return to their original colour a moment later. His gaze dims, and he comes back to his senses, blinking apologetically.
Calligos Winterscale"Throne's gold, I forgot how much excitement you can have with an unsanctioned psyker!" Winterscale smiles, as pleased as if a rare treasure had jumped into his hands all by itself. "Let's call this my parting gift to you, [Name]. You wanted horror stories about the Haemonculus? Then it's off to the Deadlands for you!"
Calligos Winterscale"As for me, I will finally go to the Emperor's Vow, to my cosy cabin with a bottle of Calixian amasec and a hot bath. I will see you among the stars, new blood! Stay on your toes around the self-righteous and try not to perish in the warp before our next meeting."
end of branch
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe violet eyes of Speaks-With-Gods glaze over at these words.
YOU"This has been a riveting hunt, Calligos."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your style of combat is... interesting."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I bet I killed more Aeldari than you did."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Wiping out all the xenos was unnecessary. They could have told us something about the Haemonculus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Blood for the Rogue Trader's Throne? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What now?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 4
NPCLeads-Ahead cautiously steps into the ancient ruins of her ancestors' city. She waves her hand at someone behind her, and several figures disappear into the forest's shadows. "O Starborn, the Two-Headed Eagle-God is merciful today, granting you the strength to crush the evil spirits! The descendants of this ruler will praise your bravery for ages to come!"
NPCThe woman notices the body of Winterscale and nods her head sadly. "Before departing, the brother of this ruler warned her that their paths would never cross again, for one star from the sky shall eclipse the other. When the gods are in discord, all that is left to do for us mortal folk is to pray for their mercy."
YOU"I am tired of having to decipher the locals' speech. Abelard, find out what she wants."
Abelard"As if I am not... Ahem. As you command, Lord Captain."
Abelard"Allow me to report, Lord Captain: according to the acquired data, the lair of a certain 'monster' — the Haemonculus, presumably — is located on a neighbouring continent, the so-called Deadlands. The coordinates are vague, to put it mildly. But if we pinpoint the scans, our augurs may be able to spot the xenos scum. Or whatever is left of him, I should say."
JaeJae sighs in defeat. "Can we go not to 'the Deadlands,' but to, say, a local bar? No? Just for a change of scenery."
end of branch
YOU"What are you doing here?"
NPC"Before leaving, the brother of this ruler shared another nightmare with her: in the Deadlands, there is a monster whose body is made up of bodies sewn together with rusty threads. It waits for a fallen star, trembles, hides... and guards a secret that is darker than a starless sky. A secret about the past and thoughts about the future."
YOU"Are you suggesting that I go looking for the Haemonculus Throne-knows-where in the Deadlands?"
NPC"I-I humbly beg your forgiveness for the foolishness of this ruler's words, for the Deadlands do indeed spread as far as the eye can see... However, this ruler's brother was not precise in his predictions..."
YOU"Are you suggesting that I go looking for the Haemonculus Throne-knows-where in the Deadlands?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will your tribe do now that you have lost your priest?"
NPC"This ruler will think of something. The neighbouring tribes are indebted to her tribe. They would be honoured to offer this ruler their priest or one of their apprentices as a gift."
YOU"Are you suggesting that I go looking for the Haemonculus Throne-knows-where in the Deadlands?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will your tribe do now that you have lost your priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Am I free to traverse the forest without having to worry about its movements?"
NPC"Oh yes, Starborn! You have banished the darkness from the forests of Quetza Temer with your own hands, and the ritual of Speaks-With-Gods soothed the tree spirits for many moons ahead. The paths are open."
YOU"Are you suggesting that I go looking for the Haemonculus Throne-knows-where in the Deadlands?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will your tribe do now that you have lost your priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Am I free to traverse the forest without having to worry about its movements?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the other tribes and their rulers that this world now belongs to the von Valancius dynasty."
NPCLeads-Ahead blinks in confusion and shrugs. "As long as the gods favour the inhabitants of Quetza Temer, we will continue to pray for the goodness of their eternal lives. If a god/dess claims that the world now belongs only to him/her, then, with the blessing of the God-Father, the Two-Headed Eagle-God, we entrust our lives to his/her will!"
YOU"Are you suggesting that I go looking for the Haemonculus Throne-knows-where in the Deadlands?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What will your tribe do now that you have lost your priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Am I free to traverse the forest without having to worry about its movements?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the other tribes and their rulers that this world now belongs to the von Valancius dynasty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill her] "You are of no more use to me."
NPCHer eyes widen in fear — but only for a moment. "If the Sky-Herald demands a sacrifice, this ruler is honoured to serve as one."
end of branch
YOU"Farewell, ruler."
NPC"May the Eagle-God save you, O Starborn."
end of branch
YOU[Kill her] "You are of no more use to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Farewell, ruler."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the other tribes and their rulers that this world now belongs to the von Valancius dynasty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill her] "You are of no more use to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Farewell, ruler."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Am I free to traverse the forest without having to worry about its movements?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the other tribes and their rulers that this world now belongs to the von Valancius dynasty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill her] "You are of no more use to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Farewell, ruler."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Abelard"Well, the coordinates are vague, to put it mildly. But if we pinpoint the scans, our augurs may be able to spot the xenos scum. Or whatever is left of him, I should say."
end of branch
YOU"What will your tribe do now that you have lost your priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Am I free to traverse the forest without having to worry about its movements?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell the other tribes and their rulers that this world now belongs to the von Valancius dynasty."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill her] "You are of no more use to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Farewell, ruler."continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
JaeJae sighs in defeat. "Can we go not to 'the Deadlands,' but to, say, a local bar? No? Just for a change of scenery."
KibellahKibellah flashes her an ominous smile. "Who do you think the Domin is? Even in a den of hollow bodily pleasures, he/she would find a worthy enemy just as easily as on the field of battle."
Jae"Oh, I don't know about... No, you're right. Throne damn it, you're right. You're both psychopaths looking for your own death, that's all I have to say!"
end of branch
YOU"If you are here just to irritate me, then I will kill you as well."
NPC"Let not the Starborn be angry with this ruler!" With trembling hands, the old woman blesses herself with an intricate sign vaguely resembling the Aquila.
NPC"Before leaving, the brother of this ruler shared another nightmare with her: in the Deadlands, there is a monster whose body is made up of bodies sewn together with rusty threads. It waits for a fallen star, trembles, hides... and guards a secret that is darker than a starless sky. A secret about the past and thoughts about the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing, waiting expectantly]
NPC"When the Starborn are silent, the Eagle-God speaks with their souls unseen."
NPC"Before leaving, the brother of this ruler shared another nightmare with her: in the Deadlands, there is a monster whose body is made up of bodies sewn together with rusty threads. It waits for a fallen star, trembles, hides... and guards a secret that is darker than a starless sky. A secret about the past and thoughts about the future."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 4
NPCLeads-Ahead cautiously steps into the ancient ruins of her ancestors' city. She waves her hand at someone behind her, and several figures disappear into the forest's shadows. "O Starborn, the Two-Headed Eagle-God is merciful today, granting you the strength to crush the evil spirits! The descendants of this ruler will praise your bravery for ages to come!"
YOU"I am tired of having to decipher the locals' speech. Abelard, find out what she wants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you are here just to irritate me, then I will kill you as well."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing, waiting expectantly]continues where this line first appears above